The Australian Team Establishes a Fresh Record as Captain Alyssa Healy Has One Peak Left to Climb.

It's difficult for Australia to break new ground.

The top summits have been successfully scaled.

This is the unit that has secured seven Cricket World Cups, plus another six T20 titles, and previously enjoyed nearly four years without defeat in 50-over cricket.

The alternative records, targeted by the achievement hunters, are all that remain for a team that has accomplished all there is.

• Healy's Ton Aids Australia to Unprecedented Chase
• Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 - Schedule, Outcomes & Details
• Tournament Standings, Top Run-Scorers & Wicket-Takers

That it took until Sunday's success by three wickets over India for them to achieve their initial ODI chase over 300, taking back their record for the largest in the women's 50-over format, is, honestly, a compliment to the bowling attack that have worn canary yellow over the past 50 years.

It is hard for their hitters to hold a record if never given the chance.

Ultimately, the result of Australia conceding 330 was leader Alyssa Healy receiving an opportunity to deliver her most recent brilliance.

Initially recognized as the 19-year-old niece of celebrated previous Aussie wicketkeeper Ian, she made her debut in 2010 after her country couldn't capture either of the 20 or 50-over World Cups conducted earlier and has witnessed all through 15 championship-filled years since.

A T20 World Cup win arrived three months after her debut and seven international trophies have resulted from 10 tries across formats.

The tough gloveman was in attendance in Derby in 2017 when a semi-final setback by India briefly halted the run of success.

That loss "drove us to rethink our standards," Healy commented earlier.

At the next 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, Healy made 170 against England in the final and was awarded tournament MVP. She ensured her country would not fall short again.

Whether this recent magnificent innings surpassed that earlier display can be debated.

Many contend the case for the pressure of a final. Others can counter with the challenge that comes when confronting a historic chase and an enthusiastic Indian fanbase of 20,000.

What's clear is this century was far harder to predict.

The Christchurch carnage in 2022 occurred when she led the batting statistics, but this knock followed six innings in India over the past few weeks in which she had failed to pass 30.

"For those following me in practice sessions, it has been a disappointing period because I feel like I've had no rhythm completely," said Healy.

"However when you step out on the field, your competitive instincts kick in and you completely engage with the contest."

Healy's competitive nature has always been her great strength - and a priceless quality in succeeding iconic ex-skipper Meg Lanning.

She was tormented by India's rising star Kranti Gaud in the previous month's ODI series, out to the 22-year-old seamer in each encounter, but here that only provided Healy's spark.

A single came off the bowler's initial ball and from that point the batsman was on her way.

"The possibility to take the field and engage in competition with her and just have a bit of fun in that regard, sort of got me going," commented Healy.

She achieved fifty in 35 balls - her fastest at the World Cup - and her hundred in 84 balls as she flogged anything short, scoring 21 fours and three maximums.

When she was out the team required another 66 at a run-a-ball - an achievable target now demanding an easy conclusion.

"Chasing 330 runs is unfamiliar ground so I'm pleased we have the belief to accomplish that now," added Healy.

"Ideally we won't need to do it another time but, should it happen, we believe we can do it."

That comment will be the final thing competing nations at this championship should hear.

During the last week a feeling they will win from any position has only strengthened - this victory succeeding success over Pakistan by 107-run victory despite being 76-7 at one point.

Subsequently Australia meet Bangladesh before a meeting with longtime competitors England in Indore in ten days, by which point a last-four spot may well be secure.

During that phase they left the prior year's T20 World Cup in a shock defeat by South Africa - a game Healy was absent due to damaged tissue in her foot as she guided Australia for the inaugural occasion at an important competition.

So strong is her resolve, she subsequently stated she wished she had played with the discomfort.

However although she later admitted those fitness problems have postponed thoughts of retirement, this championship is likely to be her last as captain in ODI cricket and she is still to achieve a world championship as skipper.

Success in India would lead her to the peak of her ultimate challenge.